Albuquerque – ProgressNow New Mexico has been actively involved in public engagement and accountability programs across New Mexico focused on bringing reform to the Albuquerque Police Department’s pattern of use of force violations.

On word of today’s findings by the US DOJ that the department has engaged in a pattern and practice of unconstitutional violations of civil rights and violations of federal law, Executive Director Patrick Davis, himself a former police officer and supervisor, releases this statement:

“The Department of Justice’s findings today vindicate so many who have long fought for reform in the face of a department and city administration that insisted none was needed. Yet, healing and reform will not be instant.

“So many dynamic issues are intertwined in this report, from mental health to use of force, but all are representative of how we, as a community, define ‘protect and serve.’

“But let’s acknowledge that the community is still anxious, and has good reason to be, over how these new reforms will be defined, implemented and who will be accountable. As the report says, the department’s culture and resistance to internal or community oversight helped lead us here. Let us hope that the community has a seat at the table as we look at who we hire, how they are trained and how we interact with the honorable officers still serving us on the street.”

Patrick Davis, the executive director of ProgressNowNM, was a police officer, supervisor and trainer for 10 years before joining ProgressNowNM.

ProgressNowNM, the state’s largest network of progressives, provides the information, tools and forums for its 100,000+ members to engage, persuade and provoke communities forward.

Together with other community organizations, ProgressNowNM launched the #ProtectAndServeABQ campaign today providing community members with an online forum to share video testimonials and personal stories about their interactions, good and bad, with the Albuquerque Police Department. This first step at establishing a community dialogue among residents is a critical part of the city’s healing process.

ProgressNow New Mexico is the state’s largest grassroots progressive advocacy group. We help our more than 100,000 followers and subscribers take action to move New Mexico forward and correct conservative misinformation in the Land of Enchantment.